Hand-truck



(No Model.)

N.' J. WAFIERMAN.

HAND TRUCK.

No. 282,136. Patented July 31, 1883.`

v w/r/vfssfs l 4a hand-truck `embodying my invention.

2 is a side elevation.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NoBLE J. WATERMAN, oEnETRoIT, MICHIGAN.

HAN D-TRUCK. l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 282,136, dated Ju1y'31, 1883.

Application tiled November 24, 1882. (No model.)

luse it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this speciiication. I

My invention consists in the combination of devices and appliances hereinafter specified, and more particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure I is a plan view of Fig. Fig. 3 is a cross-section. My invention relates to hand-trucks, and

`more particularly to the form and construction of the cross-pieces or braces.

I am aware that hand-trucks have been made with cross-pieces of iron, but bent in the form of a downward curve from side to side. These, however, are designed for special purposes, such as the handling of hogs, barrels, Sto., but are not adapted to general warehouse purposes, such as the handling of bags and ordinary warehouse-packages.

It is the object of my invention to so shape the braces that they will possess the same function of not permitting the `package to escape at the side of the truck, and yet form a dat bearing-surface across thetruck, and to this end I make the cross-pieces to curve from. the upper edge downward at anreasy incline from the edge of the truck,and`thence extend out squarely across to the opposite side, so as to procure at once the advantages ofthe drop, and at the same time the advantages of a `flat truck and an easy incline, `at the edges of which a package may be slid in removing it from the truck. Y l

My .invention consists, further, in providing one or more of the cross-pieces with a similar but reversed brace on the under side, riveted or otherwise fastened to the upper crosspiece.

In carrying out my Invention, A represents the sideibars of thetruck; B, the wheels; B', the brackets towhich the wheels are secured. C represents the supports or legs of thetruck. Dis theupturnedmetallic toe-piece,

preferably constructed with `extended faceplates D' and D2, secured upon the side bars. E represents anydesired number of metallic cross-piece or braces, curved at their extremities, as shown, or slanted downward from the upper edges of the side bars, to which they are secured, thence extending, as above explained, squarely across to the opposite side, the construction being suchA that said braces are suitably dropped to receive a package, and at the same time `afford a flat bearingsurface along the greater portion of their length, between the side pieces, while at the extremities of said braces corners are avoided which might otherwise obstruct the ready removal of a package from the truck. In Fig. 3 is shown a similar but reversed brace, F, securedat its extremities to the under side of the side pieces and to the middle of one of the upper cross-pieces in any suitable manner. I design to use one or more of these under cross-pieces, F. G is a supportingbrace extending from the` foot of the legs of the truck up under the lower brace and secured therewith.

It is evident that a hand-truck so contructed possesses the marked advantages above mentioned.

What I claim is a A hand-truck combining in its structure the following characteristics-namely: a pair `of 'side bars mounted at one end on wheels, and

.straight across, to constitute depressions between the downward inclinations for receiving bags and other articles, and similar under metallic cross-pieces, arranged reversely to the upper cross-pieces, with their straight portions united,`the extremities of the under cross-pieces being secured to the bottom edges of the side bars, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

NOBLE J. WATERMAN.

Witnesses:

N. S. WRIGHT, WILLIAM F. FORD.

IOO 

